Joe Moss Band
West Dundee, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"Joe is one of our favorite performers at Legends"(Buddy's world famous club) "He is Energetic, A Strong Guitarist And Always A Crowd Pleaser."
Buddy Guy - Buddy Guy
"His tendency to shape shift on these thirteen tracks isn't just a meaningless exercise :Moss' Impeccable playing is incredibly SOULFUL,and his ebullience shines right through the speakers, delivering an Insane ass-shakin' rave up."-------Andria Lisle, LIVING BLUES #172 March-June 2004
- Living Blues Magazine
BY JEFF JOHNSON Staff Reporter,CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
We're now 361 days into the Year of the Blues, and some might ask what the fuss was all about.
Well, the congressional proclamation and related hullabaloo last winter were really efforts to promote "Martin Scorsese's 'The Blues,'" the seven-part series that aired a couple of months ago on PBS, which had more than its share of great moments. Even its detractors usually qualified their criticism with, "Yeah, but that scene with [fill in the blank] was worth watching the entire series by itself."
But after the thrill is over, is the music any better for it? Blues recordings are barely registering a blip on the SoundScan radar, with only a couple of discs selling more than 30,000 copies all year. Small indie labels are falling by the wayside, and with things tough all over in the music industry, the majors aren't exactly lining up to fill the void.
Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 blues albums from 2003 that prove that the music is still alive and well:
Joe Moss, "Monster Love" (212): Let's give a nod to a local guy here, a graduate of Scotty & the Rib Tips, no less. Moss creates a monster Memphis groove for his funky soul-blues sound that's perfectly suited both to his voice and his supporting personnel. And brother Nick Moss & the Flip Tops weren't far behind with their Blue Bella release "Count Your Blessings."
- Chicago Sun-times
"Maricela's Smile is a Solid Testament to Chicago -Style blues with a sensible rock edge..... Moss is the real deal." - Living Blues
" Moss is a potent guitarist at home with a wide variety of grooves, as his new album demonstrates with its 70 plus minutes of music" - Blues Revue
" The band kicks from the first cut, 'Suburban Glory,' with Moss' passionate vocal riding high above the R&B groove walkin' the edge of Funk. His Guitar solo explodes with a hard-driven blistering attack" - Sing Out!
" Joe Moss sings with a lot of feeling and sensitivity, he writes excellent songs, and his guitar solos sting..... open minded blues listeners will enjoy this well rounded set...." - All Music Guide
"...Arguably Joe's most ambitious and varied set thus far. There are plenty of tight, dance able grooves that mesh perfectly with his forays into jazz-and -soul-inflected-blues, which makes for a highly enjoyable listen. Many pundits decry the future of the blues, but with young guns such as Joe Moss on the scene, the blues is in very capable hands,indeed." - Review
" If you're looking for a musical adventure anchored in a timeless style, then Moss is your guy" - Daily Times
3/16/08 2:15 PM View Original Post
What they are saying about the CD Maricela's Smile
Here are some reviews from Europe and one from WXRT Chicago Disc Jockey:
Przemek Drehiem from Radio Sfera Poland and Living Blues Contributor:
I was getting ready to go out when I got the parcel so I put Joe's fist CD, "Monster Love", into my player to check it out a little. What was supposed to be quick preview turned out to be an evening with Joe's music. I didn't go out at all. His music is fantastic and the newest record is even better then his previous one. The way Joe blends Chicago blues with soul and funk is unbelievable. To be honest, when I read the press release I was afraid that those new funk filled cuts will sound square, like it happens in case of most blues bands trying to play funk. I was so wrong, Joe's band is moving and grooving, producing a classy backbeat and funky feel. I like it all. As a leader, Joe is up there with all those famous guys. His singing voice is strong, his vocal delivery can nail every song he sings, plus his guitar playing is so tasty, he doesn't try to impress anybody or show off, he just plays his heart out, it's that simple. And not only he has a lucky hand when it comes to mailing stuff overseas, but he's also talented in gathering the best musicians around. His rhythm section is always tight and his Hammond players are superb. I am a Hammond fanatic so I know what I mean. All in all, the parcel I got made me smile as since yesterday Joe Moss is the only one I listen too, over and over. With "Monster Love" being perfect for more classic Chicago sound lovers and "Maricela's Smile" a treat for people interested is blues meets soul type of sound, Joe Moss is a force to be reckoned with. Congratulations Joe as I am really impressed!
Terry Clear AKA- TEE CEE From Radio Onda Spain:
This is a Chicago based band that is kept busy playing venues such as Buddy
Guy's Legends & The House Of Blues.
Listening to this CD you can understand why they are kept so busy!
Joe Moss has had a good grounding in the blues, touring Spain in 1992 with
Buddy Scott & playing as sideman with Zora Young, Billy Branch, Magic Slim,
A.C.Reed & others.
His self-titled debut CD came out in 1997, and it was followed up in 2003 by
"Monster Love" - this third album (named for Joe Moss' daughter) draws on
the other two and grows up nicely.
This CD was recorded in Chicago back in 2006, but has only just been
released (March 18th) and it contain 11 original tracks out of a total of
13.
The two cover versions are the old Free number "Fire & Water" (Paul Rodgers
& Andy Fraser) & "Big Leg Woman" (Johnnie Temple), and they are both
excellent, especially the latter, which is my favourite track from the
album.
The CD opens with the funky "Suburban Glory", which gives a good insight
into just how good Joe Moss is on guitar, before moving on to "Green Eyes"
which is the sort of track I can't listen to and keep still - Greg Sefner ..boards & Chuck Desormeaux on sax give this track a real strong flavour.
The vocals put me in mind a little bit of Boz Skaggs.
There's a good mix of tempos & styles in this album, from the slow and moody
title track, "Maricela's Smile" to the upbeat "You Made me So Happy" & "Big
Leg Woman", and from the funky "Suburban Glory" to the heavy blues-rock
version of "Fire & Water", this album has just about something for everyone.
I'm sure Joe Moss is going to feature in a lot of people's CD collections
from now on.
Blues Breakers Host, Tom Marker WXRT FM Chicago:
What a terrific album. Congratulations on a project well done.
Review from Music City Blues Society
By Don and Sheryl Crow
THE JOE MOSS BAND
MARICELA'S SMILE
212 RECORDS 657 575 0007 2
SUBURBAN GLORY--GREEN EYES--YOU MADE ME SO HAPPY--MARICELA'S SMILE--MY LIFE--I AM FEELING YOU--FIRE AND WATER--BIG LEG WOMAN--CAN YOU FEEL MY HEART--CAN'T ALWAYS BE RIGHT--SHE PUT A STICK IN MY SPOKES--DR STRANGELOVE--AIN'T GOT NO MONEY (LIVE)-
As the man responsible for turning little brother Nick Moss on to the blues, brother Joe Moss is cut from the same classic cloth as many other famous Windy City guitarists. With a unique guitar style that encompasses not only the West Side soul of Magic Sam and traditional South Side combo sounds, Joe tosses in a great deal of soul, funk, jazz, and anything else his songs may call for. Such is the case with his latest release on 212 Records, "Maricela's Smile." This set consists of ten originals and two covers, and is arguably Joe's most ambitious and varied set thus far. There are plenty of tight, danceable grooves that mesh perfectly with his forays into jazz-and-soul-inflected blues, which makes for a highly enjoyable listen.
Check out Joe's mellow vocals on the title cut, further defined by a cool piano solo at the bridge. The only thing wrong with the funky, driving tale of a woman who's "got it all" except for love, "Suburban Glory," is that it's toooo short!! "Green Eyes" is another tale of passion that travels along the jazz-into-blues path, including its killer horns and B-3 complementing Joe's vocals. He does another fine job with the crunching riff that comprises Free's "Fire And Water," while the slow-blues of "I Am Feeling You, with more B-3 from Greg Sefner, washes over you like a spring shower. The set closes with an Allman’s-like jam, "Ain't Got No Money," where everyone gets a chance to stretch out.
We had two favorites, too. Joe's love for Freddie King is apparent, not only in his cover of "Big Leg Woman," but in the stinging guitar leads of his original tale of the classic "back door man," "Dr. Strangelove." This one has some sweet, extended solos from Joe at its bridge, also.
Many pundits decry the future of the blues, but with young guns such as Joe Moss on the scene, the blues is in very capable hands, indeed. Enjoy "Maricela's Smile" from the Joe Moss Band today!! Until next time...Sheryl and Don Crow.
MIDWEST RECORD – CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 24, 2008
JOE MOSS BAND/Maricela’s Smile: Not to be confused with his bluesy brother Nick, Joe Moss is one serious as a heart attack blues road warrior with a literal world of traveling in the name of blues under his belt. Fearlessly tossing out a set of mostly originals, this barn burner of a cat fires up his guitar, inspires his crew and lets the good times roll. Sure handed throughout, this is the kind of stuff that lets you know the next generation of the blues is in good hands. Blues guitar fans unite!
(212 Records) – Chris Spector
- Various Reviewers
Discography
The Joe Moss Band- 1997 -212 Records
Monster Love-2003- 212Records - This record was played on over 200 radio stations and is still currently being played on satellite, streaming and conventional radio.
Maricela's Smile- 2008- 212 Records -release date March 18th
Photos
Bio
This band combines many styles and influences. Rock, Blues , Funk , Jazz, Soul, R&B, Jam.Based in Blues and expanding outward. Our Live shows can run the gamut from extended jams to one man, a guitar and his voice.
Recently back from a successful tour of Europe. The Joe Moss band broke a record for CD sales at The 7 Night's to Blues Music fest in Lille, France. Received great reviews in Belgium and France.
Maricela’s Smile features Joe Moss’ most-ambitious set of blues yet, with journeys into not only the west and south sides of Chicago blues, but also includes healthy doses of R&B, funk, soul and jazz to the mix, a testament to not only his musical influences growing up, but also the breadth of his experience as a veteran musician. The CDs dozen tracks include 10 originals, plus Joe’s take on the blues/rock of Free’s “Fire and Water,” as well as a soulful version of “Big Leg Woman,” previously recorded by such legends as Freddie King. Maricela’s Smile closes with the live track, “Ain’t Got No Money,” which gives the band members ample room to stretch out into improvisation, touching on jazz and even the jam/roots/rock sound of The Allman Brothers Band. A guitarist since he was 15 years old, Joe Moss also turned his younger brother, Nick, on to the blues, who has gone on to develop a strong following in his own right. Joe’s entry into the world of blues came from noted guitarist Buddy Scott, who spotted Moss during a jam session at the celebrated Chicago west side club Rosa’s Blues Lounge and promptly put him to work as a member of his Rib Tip band. In 1992, Joe toured Spain with Buddy and also recorded with him on Scott’s Bad Ave. CD, as well. Moss very quickly became an in-demand sideman with many of Chicago’s hardest working bands, playing guitar on the bandstand for Zora Young, Li’l Smokey Smothers, Syl Johnson, Lefty Dizz, Magic Slim, A.C. Reed, Billy Branch and Little Mack Simmons, among many others. Tours with these artists brought Joe exposure outside of the U.S. in Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany. In 1997, he released The Joe Moss Band’s debut self-titled CD, following that with his second album, Monster Love, in 2003. “Monster Love is the work of a skilled craftsman,” said Jeff Johnson in his review for the Chicago Sun-Times. During the ensuing years, Joe Moss has also become a regular not only in Chicago clubs like Buddy Guy’s Legends and The House of Blues, but at venues and festivals around the country and in Europe as well. Buddy Guy, who knows a few things about playing guitar and entertaining, called Joe “energetic, a strong guitarist and always a crowd pleaser” after catching many of Moss’ frequent gigs at his club. The Joe Moss Band will tour extensively in support of Maricela’s Smile release and the act is booked by The Jo-Ann Freda Agency (joannfreda@optonline.net). For more information, visit www.joemossband.com or www.myspace.com/joemossband.
The new CD "Maricela's Smile" due to be released on March 18th, 2008 is a collection of various styles of original music written and performed by the Joe Moss Band. The title track of the CD is named after Joe's 6 year old daughter Maricela, is a testament to the unconditional love one feels for their child. All the songs are glimpses into the life experiences of Joe and his cast of killer musicians that comprise the Joe Moss Band.
The New CD will Have an excellent team to support touring.
publicity-RED TENT
Contact: Lisa Holloman 1-847-710-5117
thedecider@rtent.org
Radio Promotion-Todd Glazer Promotions
Distribution- Burnside Distribution
Booking- JoAnn Freda Agency
Here is the Liner Notes from The New CD "Maricela's Smile"
JOE MOSS – MARICELA’S SMILE LINER NOTES
I have been writing about Joe Moss and his music for just about 10 years now. I know him well enough to know what some people are going to say about his new record, Maricela’s Smile, that you are holding in your hands at this very moment. People will say that it is very different from Joe’s past music and that it isn’t a blues record. Those of us who know Joe, however, know that the soul, jazz, and R&B-influenced sound heard on the new record is where Joe has been heading all along. I can remember sitting with Joe in 1997 or 1998, interviewing him for the first time for the first local birdcage liner magazine I ever published in, and listening to him describe this sound that he heard in his head, even as he was releasing his self-titled debut CD, which contained the most straight blues he has ever put on record. The title track of Joe’s second effort, “Monster Love,” foreshadowed this style, and gave fans a taste of what he was thinking and what he was trying to do as an artist. Maricela’s Smile is Joe hitting the target he has aimed for at long last and truly coming into his own as a songwriter and bandleader.
It IS a blues record, by the way. Joe Moss is first and foremost a blues guitarist and he can play straight-up blue
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